Many Thanks

I would like to thank you for your generosity. I received many presents this year and they were wonderful. My trunk is full. I can't wait to get them home and put them away, integrating them into my life.

I am lucky to have lovely students this year and I end the day with a smile still on my face most days.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate. I look forward to seeing you all in two weeks and hearing the children's stories about their time off.

:)
Miss Mynes

the next couple of days

Tonight is concert night. The kindergarten students are always the highlight of the show. The show starts at 6pm. Feel free to drop your kids off at the classroom anytime after 5:30.

Tomorrow, we will have a class party to celebrate the coming school holiday. Feel free to send in a seafood and nut free treat for the students to share with their peers. We will be playing games and listening to music.

I hope to see all of you at the concert tonight.
:)
Miss Mynes

For your information

TDSB Proposes 75 Full-day Learning Sites

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has released its list of suggested school sites for consideration and approval of the Early Learning Program for young learners 4 and 5 years-of-age by the Ministry of Education. The list contains 75 schools hosting 209 programs.
It is important to note that the Ministry still has to review, select and approve the final list which will only include 190 programs. As a result, the number of school sites will change. Ministry approval will be announced in mid-January 2010.
A full list of the proposed school sites is below:
Proposed ELP School Site List(78K 12/11/2009) 
The Early Learning Program is the Ministry of Education’s provincial initiative that brings full-day learning to the kindergarten program through a phased in implementation process beginning September 2010 and finishing in 2015.
The TDSB proposed school site list was developed based on the guidelines from the Ministry of Education and in consultation with early learning partners.
The TDSB believes early learning is the foundation for the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of all children and early learning plays a critical role in student success. The TDSB is pleased to partner with the Ministry of Education as we build a strong foundation for young students with full-day kindergarten.
For more information about Early Learning you can visit the Ministry of Education’s website at www.edu.gov.on.ca/earlylearning/.

our day today

This is such an exciting time of year for many of our students and keeping them in control and focused isn't easy. I try to stick with routine as much as possible. To that end, we continue our weekly theme of inventions. We wrote in our writing folders today. The morning class has library and the afternoon class has gym where we continue our parachute unit. We will also practice for the Winter Concert. The afternoon class will also join the whole school in the gym to sing carols at 2:20.

Have a good day. I think I see the sun.
:)
Miss Mynes

a festive week

Thursday evening is concert night. The kindergarten student will be preforming a song. The concert starts at 6pm. When you arrive at the school, drop your child off at the class as hurry to the gym to get a good seat. I guarantee the kids will be cute.

On Friday, we will have a pre-holiday party. Feel free to send in some treats for your child to share with their friends. Please remember that we are a nut free school and a seafood free classroom.

:)
Miss Mynes

Twin Day

Tomorrow is Twin Day at J.G. Workman P.S. That means your child and their friend can dress as twins to get spirit points. I know kindergarten did a great job with Red and White Day and Pajama Day. Twin Day may be more challenging for kindergarten students but, if successful, it will be adorable.

:)
Miss Mynes

our day today

We are continuing with the theme of coins. We also did a math lesson about large things that are light and small things that are heavy. We worked in our writing folders. The morning class has library and the afternoon class has gym where we will continue to work with the parachute.

Keep warm,
Miss Mynes

Monday

Ah, it's Monday and a busy day as usual. We are learning about coins this week. We are also continuing with our unit on mass by trying to make a play dough animal with the same mass as one made by me. In gym, we are continuing to work with the parachute.

Let's hope the sun comes out tomorrow - it makes the cold easier to handle.

:)
Miss Mynes

This Month's Great Golden Bear

This month, the Toronto District School Board is focusing on the character traits of kindness and caring. As a class, we will be talking about what that looks like and sounds like and then the morning class will pick the student they think is the most kind and caring. We are talking about things like saving a spot on the carpet for a friend, smiling at someone who is sad, keeping promises and other acts of kindness and caring.

Enjoy the weekend,
Miss Mynes

a busy day

Well, it is a busy day at JG Workman PS today. It is pajama day and healthy snack day. In kindergarten, we are continuing with our Your Body theme, working on the concept of mass by making play dough snowmen and finding out which is heaviest. The morning class has library and the afternoon class has gym. In gym this month, we are working with eh parachute.

I'm sure I will see some of you tonight and tomorrow for parent interviews. Also, parents of JK students have been visiting all week.

Enjoy the PA day tomorrow!

Miss Mynes

todays thoughts

Thank you to Alaina's family who sent in cupcakes for no reason yesterday - a treat for no reason is always a nice surprise.

Today we continue with the theme of Your Body with our riddle and a video. We will be exploring the concept of mass with cubes and balance scales. The morning class has gym and we will be working with the parachute. The afternoon class has library with Mrs. Porier.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

our day today

Today we are continuing our theme of Our Body with a riddle and a movie. We will be having a lesson on mass using play dough. This months character trait is kindness and caring and the most kind and caring student will win a great golden bear this month. The morning class has library with Mrs. Porier and the afternoon class has gym.

Have a good day,
Miss Mynes

Bake Sale

Thank you so much to Alexander's mom. While baking for the bake sale, she thought of the kids who may not have money to spend and donated cookies to those kids and since there was one for me too I can tell you they were very yummy.

Thanks to everyone who donated to the bake sale. The graduates will thank you when they are on their end on the year trip.

:)
Miss Mynes

It's Friday!

Today is our last day of our Transportation unit. Our riddle was about bikes and we are reading a book about trains. The morning students are in the gym as I type listening to an Olympic athlete speak. She is a hockey player. That also means the kids are missing computer lab today. I was hoping to measure the kids today to see how much they have grown since the first month of school but it is looking like we won't have time. The afternoon kids have computers with Mr. Kirsi's occasional teacher (Mr. Kirsi is absent) and they also have a Great Golden Bear assembly. The winning student this month is the afternoon classes most empathetic student.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Miss Mynes

lost book

Someone returned a book to the school called Countdown to Kindergarten. It belongs to the Albert Campbell library. If you are looking for it, I have it. Just let me know.

Wednesday!!

Today we are continuing our Transportation theme with a riddle - the answer is train - and a movie about transportation in India. I will be continuing to assess the seniors math skills for an initiative that begins in January where 3 students will receive daily intervention in math from a Ryerson ECE student. you will learn more about this before the students begin their placements.

The morning class has gym. They will be working on rolling a ball to a target. The afternoon class has library.

We are beginning to practice for our December concert. As usual, kindergarten will stale the show.

:)
Miss Mynes

here we go

Well, here we go - term 2! Where has the time gone?

We are learning about transportation this week. Our first riddle is about travelling in a sailboat.

I will be out of the classroom today. In the morning, I have a meeting about our current Teaching and Learning Critical Pathway and in the afternoon I have a meeting about the Ryerson students who will be working in my and Mrs. Matnishyan's class in the new year.

The morning class will have free play in the gym with Mrs. Bonvillian and the afternoon class has library.

:)
Miss Mynes

Friday!

Today, our riddle will be about one of the kids in the class. We will be having a science lesson about water. The morning class has computer lab with me and the afternoon class has it with Mr. Kirsi. We will be reading a book about dinosaurs. I also have a Friday award. This week it's a good attitude award.

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend,
Miss Mynes

a bit about our day

Today we are continuing our popular dinosaur theme with our riddle, independent reading and a movie. We are also doing our pre-test for our current Teaching-Learning Critical Pathway. The primary division looked at last years EQAO scores and discovered that the children struggled with the concept of mass. For the next few weeks the whole division will focus on this part of the curriculum. At the end of the pathway, there is a post-test to see how much our focus has improved the children skill in this area.

The morning class has library. The afternoon class has gym. They will have a free play period as the morning class is behind them in our Active-8 gym program and I want to allow the morning class to catch up before we move on to a new program.
The rain is so dreary. I think it is a good day for comfort food.

:)
Miss Mynes

our day today

Today we are continuing our dinosaur theme. We are also having a math lesson and will practice printing the numeral 5 and the word five. The morning class will be working on bouncing and catching in gym and the afternoon class has library. We will all watch a movie called Dinosaur Bones.

Hope you have a great day,
Miss Mynes

a bit about our day

Today we continue our dinosaur theme. I am always amazed how excited some kids get about dinosaurs.

Our focus today is on the personal/social portion of the curriculum. We are doing a lesson about how to be a good listener. Ask your child about it after school.

The morning class has library and the afternoon class have gym. They will be working on rolling a ball to a target.

The Social Justice Club continues to collect items for the Share Christmas charity. Fell free to donate non-perishable foods, cleaning products, hygiene products and other household necessities like blankets, underwear, socks.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

Science

In Science this week, we are talking about water. The students will be able to describe a variety of ways and reasons why water is important to people and wildlife. On Wednesday, have your child bring in a photograph from a magazine that shows water.

Thanks, for your support,
Miss Mynes

our day today

Today we start the theme of dinosaurs.

We are working in our writing folders today.

The morning class has gym. Ms. Ruiz took them while I did some work for Ms. Lee.

This afternoon is library for the afternoon class.

Thank you to Sydney's mom who volunteered last week and did a wonderful lesson and activity with the afternoon class.

Enjoy the sunshine,
Miss Mynes

a bit about our day

We are continuing with our Space theme.

The morning class had a Remembrance Day assembly where we learned about the first world war. Because of the set up for the assembly, the morning class missed gym.

I have been doing lots of assessment this week to firm up my evaluations as I write the report card for the seniors.

The afternoon class has library today with Mrs. Poirier

Enjoy the sunshine,

Miss Mynes

Yummy

Thank you to Sydney's family for the yummy birthday banana bread. That's a recipe worth sharing!!!

our day today

We are continuing our shape theme with a book all about shapes and colours.

Our riddle today is about one of the kids in the class.

In Math, we will be looking for numbers in books and practicing printing our numbers.

The morning class has library and the afternoon class has gym

The afternoon class will also be having a police officer visit. I believe he will be talking about traffic safety but I am only guessing based on last year.

Have a great day.

a bit about today

Our theme this week is shapes. So far we have talked abut circles and triangles.

Our science lesson today is about habitats. We learned about what is needed in a habitat and then drew our own habitats.

We are watching a movie about shapes.

If you decided to have your child's sight and hearing tested, it is happening today.

Enjoy the sunshine!

:)
Miss Mynes

Halloween

Thank you so much to all of you that donated treats and craft materials for the kids Halloween party. The kids are so excited, I don't even try to teach them anything today. We did have computer lab, though - it's a good thing to take a party break sometimes.

I hope you all have a safe and Happy Halloween. Let's hope the sun comes out to keep us warm and dry.

:)
Miss Mynes

our day today

Today we start with a Halloween riddle before we move on to our Art activity. We will be using our creative expression, fine-motor coordination and expressive language while making an art piece using a technique similar to crayon-resist. The morning class will have gym where they work on star jumping from a height. The afternoon class has library/health. We will also be watching a Halloween movie.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

a request

If you have any old candles hanging around at home, feel free to donate them to our class as soon as possible. I would love to do an art activity, similar to crayon resist.
Thanks in advance,
Miss Mynes

today in kindergarten

This weeks theme is Halloween. All of our riddles will be about Halloween vocabulary. I had to cancel our art project for today as I could not find an essential part of the project, so we will do our writing folders today and do art later in the week. In gym, the morning class will be working on their balance. The afternoon class will be voting on which student they thing is most responsible. We will be watching a movie that shows us about some of the work of UNICEF to inspire us with the UNICEF fundraising. The afternoon class has library today.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

today in kindergarten

Today we are continuing our theme of Big Zoo Animals. We are working on printing the number 2 as well as doing number walks in the classroom to record all the numbers we can find. The morning class has library and the afternoon class has gym where they will be working on sustaining aerobic activity for 5 minutes. I will be out of the classroom at the end of the day to meet with my colleagues to unpack the EQAO data. An occasional teacher will cover my class, I believe it will be Ms. Bonvallin.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

Halloween

On October 30th, we will have a Halloween party in our class. The children can dress in a costume if they wish and we will make Haunted Pizza. Instead of buying treats for your child to share with their friends for the party, consider sending in some things to help with our Haunted Pizza. We will need sugar cookies, vanilla pudding, crushed chocolate wafer cookies or crushed Oreo cookies and gory treats to decorate the pizza - for example gummy worms, lady fingers, gun drops.

Thanks for your support,
Miss Mynes

Friday

On Friday, at 1:30, the whole school will meet in the gym to watch a play called The Raven Stole the Sun based on a traditional story of the Tlingit Nation. It is being preformed by Red Sky. For parents of morning students, feel free to join us in the gym with your child for the performance.

a snapshot of today

Today we will continue our focus on big zoo animals. We have our second riddle and a movie about how animals are fed at the zoo. We are also finishing our focus on predicting what will happen in a book and describing why we think that. The morning class will see Mrs. Poirier and the afternoon class has gym.

Yesterday, we had an art lesson called Crazy Clay Creations. We made play dough in small groups and then made big zoo animals with the play dough. One of the kids asked me for the recipe.

Simple Play dough

Mix 3 parts flour with one part salt. Add one part water, a spoonful of oil and colour and scent if desired.


Have a great day!
Miss Mynes

our day today

Today, we are focusing on printing our numbers. I have started a Math folder to collect all the kids work and so I can see their growth over time. We also watched a movie about the changes that happen in Autumn. Our riddle today was about pumpkins. The morning class went to the library with Mrs. Poirier and the afternoon class went to the gym with Mrs. H while I got some extra work done.

Let's put some positive vibes out there for some warmer weather, it feels like November out there and I'm not ready for November.

:)
Miss Mynes

a snapshot of today

We are starting our day continuing our theme of Autumn but solving a riddle (the answer is apples). Apples are so yummy this time of year, be it red, yellow or green.

We will be working in our writing folders - some of us are almost ready to move onto a new focus in our folders. I will also be reading with the seniors who have returned their book bags.

The morning class will be working on lrolling a ball down a pathway in the gym.

We will be reading a story about a scarecrow and working together to practice our predicting skills.

The afternoon class will be seeing Mrs. Poirier.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

a question from a parent that you all may be interested in

Are the kids getting music class?

This year the kids are doing music with me in the classroom. Ms. Brooks has retired so we have lost her specialty in that area. Mrs. Poirier will be teaching health to the students as well as being the librarian. She is a fantastic teacher and her library time will help to reinforce my language program.

Will you be doing any phonics with the kids this year?

I have to be honest, doing phonics in isolation is considered bad practice by the TDSB. Children learn best when all parts of language are melded into the program and not taught in isolation. I know there are many teachers who still do it that way but with such limited time in the day, spending so much time on just one aspect of language learning isn't the best use of our time.

I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend.

:)
Miss Mynes

A day in the life

Today in kindergarten, we will continue talking about Thanksgiving. We are learning a song called "Thank You". Ask your child to sing it for you. It's to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Thanks You are the words we say
Not just on Thanksgiving Day
Thank You are two magic words
Say them loud so they are heard
Thank you are the words we say
We give thanks in many ways

We will also be having a science lesson today where we learn about the difference between wild animals and domesticated animals. When your child gets home, ask them What is Wild?

Both classes have computer lab today.

We are working on predicting what is going to happen in the books that we read together. Today, we are reading A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom.

For the Friday Award, I'm looking for someone who is a good thinker.

Have a wonderful long weekend. I have 3 Thanksgivings this weekend and will really enjoy the time with family and friends.

a mystery

I have 2 books that came with the September Scholastic order that I can't seem to place. It seems that no one ordered them. If you ordered If You Take A Mouse To School or A Poppy Is To Remember please let me know.

Scholastic

The September Scholastic order has been shipped. Sorry for the delay. You should see your books (hopefully) tomorrow.

Our Day today

Today in kindergarten we will be working on several things. The mornig class has gym and they will be working on stair climbing. Lots of us still go down stairs one stair at a time instead of alternating legs and stairs. We will see if we can build their confidance and teach the skills necessary to get us all using the stairs like big boys and girls.

This months character trait is Responsibility. We have talked about what it means to be responsible - doing your share of the work and taking care of pets. Today we will talk about why it is important to put your toys away.

We will be finishing our badges today where we recognize our strengths - some people did theirs yesterday. We must think, print, colour and cut to make them. We will also try to find time to have the seniors who have returned their book bags read to me and (here's to being optimistic) try to have a few people work in their writing folders.

Every day is so busy!

:)
Miss Mynes

Scholastic

For those parents who ordered September Scholastic books, I'm sorry the order has not arrived yet but it has been placed and should arrive shortly.

The coming week

It's nice to be back and be over my cold. I so rarely get sick (thank goodness).

This week we are learning all about Thanksgiving. Also, the Social Justice Club is running a food drive for the food bank at the Birchmount Community Center. Please send in some non-perishable food if you can spare it.

Today, we are making collages. If you have anything at home that you would like to get rid of that would be good for collaging, please send it in. I know that after we made collages last year, they became a trend and we went through a lot of glue and materials.

In Gym, we are working on log rolls. They are harder than you think and take a lot of abdominal strength (I know from all my demonstrating).

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

bits and bobs

Our Bear Wear sales are today and tomorrow. Feel free to bring you child to the gym before or after class to have a t-shirt or sweatshirt made with the J.G. Workman P.S. logo.

This week we have been learning about the days of the week. Talk to your child about what they have learned.

This months character trait theme is responsibility. We will be talking every day about what responsibility is. One afternoon student will be chosen as the most responsible and win the October Great Golden Bear award.

Freshen up for Fall!

We are getting our classroom paint touched up! I am very excited since, as a painters daughter and sister, I know how nice a fresh coat of paint can look. Mrs. Lee and I will make every effort to have the children out of the classroom while the painter is working. I wonder if I get to choose the colour? I'll have to check which is most calming.

:)
Miss Mynes

Allergies

Never send the following products to class as we have students with allergies.

Sea foods
Soy products
Eggs

The allergy is sever so please be diligent.

It's Friday!

A big thank you to Hadia's family for the yummy birthday treat and the balloons. Kids really love balloons, it never ceases to amaze me.

Catie won a Great Golden Bear today for being the most respectful student. This year, I am trying to let the students choose the Great Golden Bear winners and the morning class made an excellent choice.

The Terry Fox run is today. The morning class had a short run due to a long assembly but the afternoon class will make up for it with the longest Terry Fox run that JG Workman has ever completed!

Have a great weekend,
Miss Mynes

Another Thanks

Thanks to Rachel's family for the yummy birthday treat. The week of birthdays continues..one more to go.

:)
Miss Mynes

Our next Art project

If you come to the community Barbecue on Wednesday night, you will see our latest art project on display - we tried to paint like a famous artist. Our next project will be making collages. The kids loved it last year and I would love some help in collecting collage materials. Anything is welcome.

:)
Miss Mynes

Don't forget...

Monday is gym day for the morning class. Running shoes are a must for safety.

Kids are so Internet savey these days and we all want to steer them towards good web sites. I found a few suggestions from some fellow kindergarten teachers that I thought I would share with you.

tvokids.com
starfall.com
Julia's Rainbow Corner
Game Goo
BBC T.V.
Little Animals Activity Center
Story Place
Kidszing Garden of Songs

Also, check out the following url:
http://ca.geocities.com/mrs.temple@rogers.com/LinksForKids.htm

http://ca.gepcities.com/mrs.temple@rogers.com/ReadAlongOnline.htm

Please feel free to comment on this post to let me and other parents know what you think of these sites.

Have a great day,
Miss Mynes

A request

For our science lesson this week, it would be very helpful if you and your child could search magazines and newspapers for pictures of animals, cut them out and send them into school. Also, for our social skills lesson, pictures of people.

Thank you for your support,
Miss Mynes

It's the end of our first full week!

Id Mubarak to all the families celebrating Id this weekend. Mrs. Alam has brought dates for everyone in the school - yummy!

Thank you also goes to Chandler's Family and Vincent W.'s family for the yummy birthday treats..it has been a week of birthdays this week in our classes.

Have a great weekend - it's the last of the summer so enjoy it while it lasts.

:)
Miss Mynes

Wednesday

A big thank you to Wahaj's family who sent in a yummy cake to celebrate his birthday. The afternoon class really enjoyed it.

For parents of morning students, please remember that Wednesday is a gym day and in order to participate safely the children need to wear running shoes.

Another note, sometimes children say their parents tell them not to participate in gym because they are ill. If your child is too ill for gym then they are too ill for school and should stay home. Germs spread so easily in school and we must think of others when it comes to spreading illness.

Thanks,
Miss Mynes

Class Lists

Morning Class

Alaina
Keira
Jaccob
Zara
Alexander
Kyle
Edan
Rachel
Catie
Hadia
Jannat
Samir
Nikolas
Katelyn

Afternoon

Jesse-James
Nabiya
Maiya
Yusuf
Arya
Ryan
Darla
Maira
Wahaj
Aryan
Vincent Seto
Eric
Sydney
Vincent Wu
Chandler

:)
Miss Mynes

It's Monday

A few reminders.

The morning students have gym on Monday. Please be sure you child is wearing running shoes in order to participate safely. Also, the morning class had a fire drill. Ask them about it.

Our theme this week is feelings. Today we talked about feeling mad.

:)
Miss Mynes

Our First Week

I can't believe we are almost finished our first week of the school year. The juniors have been amazing - so far we have been tear free and everyone is excited to return on Monday.

Please remember that the children must wear running shoes to participate safely in gym. The morning class has gym Monday and Wednesday and the afternoon class has it Tuesday and Thursday.

Feel free to ask questions on the blog by commenting. I will answer the questions as soon as I can. If you are wondering, chances are other parents are wondering too.

Have an amazing weekend. The weather forecast is promising.

:)
Miss Mynes

Music in kindergarten

Since we have lost Ms. Brooks to retirement, we no longer have a music specialist in the school. That means I will be teaching the music expectations within our regular classroom program. I do have my OAC in instrumental music (am I dating myself or what by admitting I have OAC's), so I have enough experience to teach it although I by no means have a voice as beautiful as Ms. Brooks does.

:)
Miss Mynes

Our First Day

WOW! What a wonderful first day we had yesterday. The seniors had such a good start. We were all excited to be back together at school. We did a writing activity so I can see where each child should be starting in the writing program and we talked about how to show respect (our Great Golden Bear this month will go to the most respectful student).

I know that I sent home a ton of paper work home for you to read and sign. It's like parents got homework on the first day of school. Work through it as fast as you can and send each piece in as you finish. The number of forms required by the school board can be overwhelming.

I look forward to our second day of kindergarten. One more day for the seniors to get ready to lead the juniors to success.

:)
Miss Mynes

Book Bags

If your child is a senior, they will be bringing home a zip lock bag with 5 books in it. Please read one book a day to or with your child or, if your child is ready, they can read them to you. Talk about the books. For example, if your child has the book Who Has Spots?, you and your child can look for things in your home that has spots and draw pictures of them. You could even put all those pictures together to make your own book about spots. Once you have read all 5 books, have your child return them. I will read one book with your child to see if they need more challenging books to read and together, your child and I will fill their book bag with new books.

Happy Reading
Miss Mynes

Just Playing

When I am building in the block room,
Please don’t say I’m "just playing".
For you see, I’m learning as I play.
About balance and shapes.

When I’m getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for babies.
Don’t get the idea I’m "just playing".
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don’t let me hear you say "he’s just playing"
For you see, I am learning as I play.
I’m expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair "Reading" to an
Imaginary audience, please do not laugh and think I’m "just playing." For you see I’m learning as I play.
I may be a teacher one day.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs or packing my pockets with choice things I find, Don’t pass it off as "just playing.
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
Or some "plaything" at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted in "play"
For you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is "just play"
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a chef someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
Please don’t say I’m "just playing."
For you see I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I have done at school today,
And I say, "I’ve played."
Please do not misunderstand me.
For you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I’m preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I’m a child and my work is play.

Our Timetable

This year, the children will visit the library twice a week. Once for book exchange and once for a health lesson. Mrs. Poirier will be teaching these subjects.

The afternoon class will see Mr. Kirsi once a week for computers and once every other week for something still to be determined.

Morning Class

Monday gym
Tuesday library/health
Wednesday gym
Thursday library/health
Friday computers (with me)

Afternoon Class

Monday library/health
to-be-determined with Mr. Kirsi
Tuesday gym
Wednesday library/health
Thursday gym
Friday computers (with Mr. Kirsi)

:)
Miss Mynes

Entry Routine

Beginning our day the same each day provides predictability and creates a calm beginning. Hopefully, we can work together to follow the routines and teach your child the routines. When breaking a routine, especially when encouraged to do so by a parent, you are teaching your child that rules don't apply if you don't like the rule. I can't imagine any parent who would want to teach their child that lesson.

Morning Class

When the bell rings the children should go directly to line and line up against the wall with their backpacks on. When I open the door, the children enter the school. Please, do not enter the school with us. It is essential that your child feels independent at school. Don't worry, I will help them if they need help.

Afternoon Class

Those of you who know me know that I am very prompt. There is no bell for the afternoon kindergarten class but I assure you I will open the door at 12:55 on the dot. The children can enter the school with their backpacks once I open the door.

Bad Weather routines

Now, anyone who has been through a Canadian winter knows it will be super cold some days. At other times in the school year it may be raining or extremely hot. Be assured that Ms. Lee and Ms. Moore monitor the temperature and conditions carefully and when it is dangerously cold or hot, or if it is raining, we bring the students into the school. Please trust us to keep your child's safety in mind at all times. So often, on cold winter days, the kindergarten hallway is a chaotic blend of parents, caregivers and children and it means a chaotic beginning to our day. Please dress yourself as well as your children appropriately for the weather so you can enjoy your time outside while you wait for our day to begin. Trust me, even cold days can be pleasant if you dress for it. I'm on yard duty every morning so I'm out there with you.

Late's and Absence's

Please make every attempt to be prompt for class. If you arrive after I have let the children into the school, please go to the office with your child for a late slip before you come to class. That helps Ms. Moore, as she is in charge of ensuring all children have arrived safely at school. Also, if your child is going to be away, please call the office to let Ms. Moore know. You can call anytime day or night and leave a message if Ms. Moore is not in her office. 416-396-6365

Thank you for your cooperation,
:)
Miss Mynes

Our first month together

Welcome to my first message in the J.G. Workman P.S. kindergarten blog. I'm hoping we can use this as a tool to information share on a regular basis. I will try to blog regularly and you can ask me questions or share information with myself as well as other parents.

I often need your help in collecting materials for art projects. Be it recyclables or unneeded items in your home, we are always happy to put them to use. Luckily, I have tons of storage space. For September, we will need the following to help us with our art projects: postcards or photos from art magazines with examples of great artists' work, assortment of collage materials (such as bits of coloured paper, pictures, clean eggshells, buttons, ribbon, cinnamon sticks, fabric pieces, yarn, and string).

I plan to start the year with an assessment of each child's writing skills. Based on your child's strengths and weaknesses, I will create a writing folder that we will work on weekly. During each writing session I will guide your child through a series of activities to strengthen their weaknesses. There will be three stages: prewriting, letter formation, journal writing. At the end of each term, I will send home your child's accomplishments.

Each week, we will have a general theme. Most classroom activities will be planned with the theme in mind. At times, special events will interrupt out theme. Here are our themes for September: What's in a classroom?, Feelings, Which school subject?, and Days of the week.

I would love to celebrate all the holidays that are important to your family. Please let me know what holidays your family celebrates so I can incorporate them into our program. Just tell me the name of the holiday and the date.

Well, that's all for now. I'm going to do some work around the classroom before the caretaker, Mr. Sutton, tells me I have to leave for the day. Don't forget to comment or post questions and I will respond the next time I log on.

:)
Miss Mynes